The Tragic Story of Jessica Lange, Who Chose to Never Marry Again

Famous for her roles in hits like Tootsie, King Kong, and American Horror Story, Jessica Lange’s personal life has been rather difficult. When she was only 21 years old, she got married to a photographer, divorcing a few years later. After that, the actress never married again.

Her life before fame

Born on April 20, 1949, in Minnesota, Jessica Phyllis Lange comes from a diverse background. She has German, Dutch and Finnish roots. Jessica had a family of six, including two older sisters, Jane and Ann, and a younger brother, George. Her father worked as both a teacher and a traveling salesman, while her mother was a homemaker. Due to her father’s profession, the Lange family had to relocate frequently and move from city to city.

In 1967, Jessica received a scholarship to study art and photography at the University of Minnesota. During this time, she crossed paths with Spanish photographer Paco Grande, whom she later married in 1970. Subsequently, Lange chose to abandon her college education in pursuit of a more Bohemian lifestyle. Together with Paco, she embarked on a journey across the United States and Mexico in a microbus, embracing a nomadic existence.

The beginning of her career in films

The couple’s adventurous life eventually led them to Paris, but as they settled there, their relationship began to unravel. While in the City of Light, Lange discovered her passion for mime theater. She also entered into the world of modeling. Her career took a significant turn when Hollywood producer Dino De Laurentiis noticed her, leading to her film debut in the 1976 remake of King Kong, where she secured the role of the damsel-in-distress. Despite the film’s success, her role was criticized by critics, and she couldn’t land another job for two years.

But this was only a roadblock in her career. In 1982, Jessica Lange made history by earning Academy Award nominations for both Best Actress (Frances) and Best Supporting Actress (Tootsie). This achievement hadn’t been seen in over four decades. In her glorious career so far she has won two Oscars, 3 Emmys, a Tony Award, and 5 Golden Globes.

Her relationships never worked out.

Jessica Lange’s personal life was marked by a series of relationships. She was married to photographer Francisco “Paco” Grande from 1970 to 1982, although they had separated earlier. The divorce was finalized in the early 1980s, involving undisclosed alimony payments. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Lange was romantically involved with the renowned Latvian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. Together, they had their first child, Aleksandra Lange “Shura” Baryshnikov, in 1981.

In 1982, Lange entered into a relationship with playwright Sam Shepard. They became parents to two children: Hannah Jane Shepard and Samuel Walker Shepard. Their relationship saw them living in various locations, including Virginia, New Mexico, Minnesota, and New York City, before they separated in 2009.

She never married after her divorce.

Jessica Lange and Sam Shepherd were together for 27 years, but their relationship never progressed to marriage. According to her, Sam wasn’t easygoing. The couple also had issues with loyalty. Both Jessica and Sam cheated on their previous partners. Sam admitted he regretted leaving his wife and child for Jessica.

She has also been candid about her battles with severe depression. She describes her struggles as an essential wellspring for her creativity, where anguish, rage, and sadness reside.

She has chosen to not let the negatives pull her down.

After having babies, her children became the center of her universe. She believes they gave her a new perspective on life. “Every move you make is with someone else in mind. I loved being a mother more than anything else in the world,” she reveals.

Despite her personal challenges, Lange has actively contributed to social causes. She serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Additionally, during the early 1990s, she fostered a child with disabilities from Romania, demonstrating her commitment to humanitarian causes.

Jessica Lange is still active in the industry, but she’s been vocal on how Hollywood gives unfair advantage to men. Her latest major role was in the movie Marlowe. Just like her, her co-star from American Horror Story Kathy Bates too, is still wowing audiences. You can read Kathy’s incredible story here.